Hollow wall constructions and parts therefor or the like



J. L. WEBSTER Nov. 2, 1965 HOLLOW WALL CONSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS THEREFOROR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1961 R. R m 5 am Y W m 1W WWU T L M H J 1965 J. L. WEBSTER 3,

HOLLOW WALL CONSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 4,1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-9 25 56 INVENTOR. JOHN L. WEBSTER HISATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,214,889 HOLLGW WALL CONSTRUCTIONS ANDPARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE John L. Webster, Henrico County, Va.,assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Aug. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 129,439 16 Claims. (Cl. 52579)This invention relates to improved hollow wall constructions and toimproved end sections and wall sections for making such wallconstructions or the like.

It is well known in the art to provide a plurality of wall sections andend sections that can be subsequently interconnected together to form ahollow wall construction having opposed, spaced, outer surface meansinterconnected together by transversely disposed rigidifying means and apair of opposed end walls.

Such wall constructions can be formed of metallic materials or the likeand can be utilized for structural members in the building industry andthe like, the wall constructions having unlimited applications whereinrelatively light-weight and relatively strong panel-like structures arerequired.

Generally, the wall sections and end sections utilized for forming suchwall constructions are formed by simple and inexpensive extrudingoperations and are so designed that the Wall sections and end sectionscan be serially or otherwise interconnected together in a relativelyrapid manner to form the aforementioned hollow Wall constructions.Usually, the end the sections and wall sections are mechanicallyinterlocked together by snap fit relations, and may be further securedtogether by a suitable adhesive.

Accordingly, one of the purposes of this invention is to provideimproved end sections and wall sections that can be mechanically as Wellas adhesively interlocked together in a relatively rapid manner to forman improved hollow wall construction of the type set forth above.

In particular, each hollow wall construction of this invention caninclude a starter end section comprising a substantially L-shaped memberhaving one arm thereof forming part of the outer surface means of thewall construction and having the other arm forming one of the opposedend walls of the wall construction. The free end of the arms of thestarter end section respectively have interlocking means.

A desired number of wall sections of this invention are seriallyinterconnected to the starter end section in a manner hereinafterdescribed, each wall section comprising an outer wall forming part ofthe outer surface means of the wall construction and having opposed endsrespectively provided with complementary interlocking means and having aleg extending inwardly therefrom.

For example, one wall section has one interlocking means interlockedwith one of the interlocking means of the starter end section.Thereafter, another wall section has one of its interlocking meansinterlocked with the other interlocking means of the end section, theleg of the one wall section being interlocked between the interlockingmeans of the end section and the other Wall section. The two wallsections thus interconnected to the starter end section define thebeginning of two opposed rows of wall sections which form the body ofthe wall construction.

Subsequently, additional wall sections are added alternately to theopposed rOWs of wall sections to form the wall construction into thedesired length, each added Wall section having its leg subsequentlyinterlocked between adjacent interlocking means of a pair of wallsections disposed in a row opposite thereto whereby the legs of the wallsections define the rigidi-fying means disposed between the opposedouter surface means of the wall construction.

When it is desired to form the other end of the wall construction, apair of end sections of this invention are respectively interconnectedto the outer interlocking means of the terminal wall sections of the tworows thereof and are subsequently interconnected together to form theother end wall of the wall construction in a manner hereinafterdescribed.

Thus, it can be seen that the hollow wall construction of this inventioncan be formed from a relatively few basic parts that are mechanicallyinterlocked together in a relatively rapid and simple manner to producean inexpensive, light-weight, long-lasting and relatively strong wallconstruction.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro- Vide an improvedhollow wall construction having one or more of the novel features setfort-h above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved wall sectionfor such a wall construction or the like.

-A further object of this invention is to provide improved end sectionsfor such a wall construction or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a hollow wall construction of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the starter endsection of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating one of the wallsections of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, perspective View illustrating one of theterminal end sections of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a View similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates another terminalend section of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side view illustrating one of the steps for initiallyinterconnecting a wall section of FIGURE 3 to the starter end section ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view illustrating how the free endof the leg of the wall section of FIGURE 6 interlocks with the starterend section of FIGURE 6 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 8 is a View similar to FIGURE 6 and illustrates another wallsection of FIGURE 3 being interconnected to the assembly of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a side view similar to FIGURE 8 and illustrates a third wallsection being interconnected to assembly of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 and illustrates the terminal endsection of FIGURE 4 being interconnected to the outer wall constructionof this invention.

FIGURE ll is a view similar to FIGURE 10 and illustrates the method ofinterconnecting the terminal end section of FIGURE 5 to the hollow wallconstruction.

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 and illustrates the end sectionof FIGURE 5 in its fully assembled position.

While the hollow wall construction of this invention is illustrated asbeing formed from all of the wall sections and end sections of thisinvention, it is to be understood that the wall sections and endsections can be utilized individually or in various combinations thereofwith other wall sections and end sections to form other wallconstructions of this invention.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved hollow wall construction of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 andcomprises a plurality of like wall sections 21 and end sections 22, 23and 24 interconnected together in a relatively simple and rapid mannerhereinafter described to define a pair of opposed, spaced, outer surfacemeans 25 and a pair of opposed end walls 26 of the wall construction 20.

The Wall sections 21 of the hollow wall construction 20 cooperatetogether to define substantially V-shaped truss-like means 27 disposedbetween the outer surface means 25 of the wall construction 20 to holdthe outer surface means 25 thereof in spaced relation whereby arelatively strong and light-weight hollow construction 20 is provided ina manner hereinafter described.

While the hollow wall construction 20 can be utilized in many differentapplications wherein a lightweight structural panel means is required,one such use is in the building industry for forming structural walls,floors, roofing and the like.

The wall sections 21 and end sections 22, 23 and 24 can be formed of anysuitable material and in any suitable manner, and, in the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, the Wall sections 21 and end sections 22,23 and 24 are each formed by extruding metallic material, such asaluminum-containing metallic material or the like, in a conventionalextruding apparatus, in a manner well known in the art. The individualwall sections 21 and end sections 22, 23 and 24 are subsequently cut indesired lengths from the aforementioned extruded stock to form thehollow wall construction 20 of the desired size.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the starting end section 22 comprises asubstantially L-shaped member having a pair of integrally connected arms28 and 29 disposed at substantially a right angle relative to eachother, the end section 22 being referred to as a starting end sectionbecause the end section 22 is the first member to which the wallsections 21 are serially interconnected to form the wall construction20.

The arm 28 of the starter end section 22 is adapted to form one of theopposed end walls 26 of the hollow wall construction 20 while the otherarm 29 thereof is adapted to define part of the outer surface means 25thereof in a manner hereinafter described.

The arm 28 has a free end 30 provided with a transversely disposed wall31 which cooperates with an outwardly directed flange 32 to define anoutwardly facing channel 33 at the free end 30 of the arm 28, the wall31 defining part of the outer surface means 25 of the hollow wallconstruction 20 in a manner hereinafter described. The flange 32 is soconstructed and arranged that the same defines a concave surface 34having a center of curvature preferably disposed on the terminal edge 35of the wall 31 at the outer surface thereof.

The other arm 29 of the starter end section 22 has a free end 36provided with an arcuately shaped, outwardly directed flange 37 whichcooperates with the free end 36 to define an outwardly facing channel38, the flange 37 defining a concave surface 39 preferably having acenter of curvature disposed on the terminal edge 40 of the free end 36of the arm 29 on the outer surface thereof whereby the channels 33 and38 of the end section 22 are substantially identical.

A longitudinally disposed and outwardly directed projection 41 iscarried by the flange 37 and has a beaded end 42 which defines a channelor pocket 43 with the flange 37 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The flange 37 has a convex surface 37 extending beyond the projection41, the surface 37' preferably having a center of curvature alsodisposed on the terminal edge 40 of the outer surface of the free end 36of the arm 29.

While the starting end section 22 can have any desired dimensions,depending upon the particular size of the wall construction 20 desired,one embodiment of the end section 22 that has been found to besatisfactory has an arm 28 approximately 3.000 inches wide and an arm 29approximately 2.044 inches wide, with the general crosssectionalthickness of the arms 28 and 29 being approximated 0.080 of an inch. Thearcuate surfaces 34 and 39 of the respective flanges 32 and 37 haveradii of curvature approximately 0.188 of an inch long while the lengthof the radius of curvature of the convex surface 37 of the flange 37 isapproximately 0.268 of an inch.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, each wall section 21 comprises an outer flatwall 44 which is adapted to form part of the outer surface means 25 ofthe hollow wall construction 20 in a manner hereinafter described, theouter wall 44 having a pair of opposed ends 45 and 46.

An offset lip or projection 47 extends from the end 45 of the outer wall44 of each wall section 21, the lip 47 having a convex surface 48provided with a center of curvature preferably disposed on the terminaledge 49 of the outer surface of the end 45 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed.

The lip 47 is so constructed that the same is adapted to be respectivelyreceived in the channels 33 and 38 of the starter end section 22.

A first flange 50 extends inwardly from the end 45 of each wall section21 and has a concave surface 51 which cooperates with the convex surface48 of the lip 47 to define a first channel 52 therewith, the concavesurface 51 of the flange 50 preferably having a center of curvature alsodisposed on the terminal edge 49 of the outer surface of the outer wall44.

A second arcuate flange 53 extends outwardly from the end 46 of theouter wall 44 and cooperates therewith to define a second outwardlyfacing channel 54 adapted to complementally receive a lip 47 of anadjacent wall section 21 in a manner hereinafter described.

The flange 53 has a concave surface 55 preferably provided with a centerof curvature disposed on the terminal edge 56 of the outer surface ofend 46 whereby the channel 54 is substantially identical to the channels33 and 38 of the end section 22.

A longitudinally disposed and outwardly extending projection 57 iscarried by the flange 53 and has a beaded edge 58 which cooperates withthe flange 53 to define a channel 59 therewith for a purpose hereinafterdescribed, the channel 59 and projection 57 being substantiallyidentical to the channel 43 and projection 41 of the end section 22.

The flange 53 has a convex surface 53 extending beyond the projection 57and preferably provided with a center of curvature also disposed on theterminal edge 56 of the outer surface of the outer wall 44.

An angularly disposed leg 60 is integrally interconnected to the flange53 of each wall section 21 and has an angularly disposed arcuate freeend 61, the free end 6 1 of the leg 60 having a beaded edge 62complementary to the channels 43 and 59 of the end sections 22 and wallsect-ions 21.

The free end 61 of the leg 60 has a concave surface 61' and a convexsurface 61", the surfaces 61' and 61" preferably having the samecenter-of curvature.

While the wall section 21 can have any desired dimens1ons, it has beenfound that a wall section 21 should have the following dimensions whenthe starter end section 22 has the aforementioned dimensions.

For example, the width of the outer wall 44 of each wall section 21 isapproximately 3.464 inches, while the outermost point on the free end 61of the leg 60 thereof is disposed approximately 2.920 inches from theouter surface of the outer wall 44 thereof, along a line disposedperpendicular to the outer wall 44, the leg 60 being disposed at anangle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the outer wall 44. Thegeneral thickness of the wall section 21 is approximately 0.080 of aninch.

The radii of curvature of the convex surface 48 of the lip 47 and of theconcave surface 55 of the flange 53 are approximately 0.188 of an inchlong. The radii of curvature of the convex surface 53 of the flange 53and of the concave surface 61' of the free end 61 of the leg 60 areapproximately 0.268 of an inch long, while the radii of curvature of theconvex surface 61" of the leg 60 and the concave surface 51 of theflange 50 are approximately 0.348 of an inch long.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4, each terminal end section 23 comprises asubstantially L-shaped member having a pair of integrally interconnectedarms 63 and 64 disposed at substantially a right angle relative to eachother, the arm 63 forming part of one of the opposed end walls 26 of thehollow wall construction 20, while the arm 64 thereof defines part ofthe outer surface means 25 thereof in a manner hereinafter described.

The arm 63 of the end section 23 has an inwardly offset end 65 providedwith an inwardly directed projection 66 having a beaded edge 67 adaptedto be complementary to a channel 59 of an end wall 21 in a mannerhereinafter described.

The arm 64 of the end section 23 has an end 68 provided with an inwardlyoffset lip or projection 69 having a convex surface 70 preferablyprovided with a center of curvature disposed on the terminal edge 71 ofthe outer surface of the end 68, the lip 69 being identical to the lip47 previously described.

A flange 72 extends outwardly from the end 68 of the arm 64- and has aconcave surface 73 which cooperates with the convex surface 7 0 of thelip 69 to define an outwardly facing channel 74 therewith, the concavesurface 73 preferably having a center of curvature also disposed on theterminal edge 71 of the outer surface of the end 68.

When the end section 22 and wall sections 21 have the aforementioneddimensions, it has been found that the terminal end section 23 shouldhave an arm 64 approximately 2.0l7 inches long and an arm 63approximately 2.920 inches long, the general cross-sectional thicknessof the end section 23 being approximately 0.080 of an inch. The lengthof the radius of curvature for the convex surface 70 of the lip 69 isapproximately 0.188 of an inch, while the length of the radius ofcurvature for the concave surface 73 of the flange 72 is approximately0348 of an inch.

As illustrated in FIGURE 5, each terminal end section 24 comprises asubstantially L-shaped member having one arm 75 thereof defining part ofthe outer surface means 25 of the hollow wall construction 20 and theother arm 76 thereof forming part of one of the end walls 26 thereof ina manner hereinafter described, the arms 75 and 76 being disposed atsubstantially a right angle relative to each other.

An inwardly offset lip or projection 77 is carried by the arm 75 and hasa convex surface 78 preferably provided with a center of curvaturedisposed on the terminal edge 79 of the arm 75 at the outer surfacethereof for a purpose hereinafter described.

When the end sections 22 and 23 and wall sections 21 have theaforementioned dimensions, the arm 75 of the end section 24- isapproximately 0.375 of an inch wide, while the arm 76 thereof isapproximately 1.000 inch wide, with the overall thickness of the endsection 24 being approximately 0.080 of an inch. The length of theradius of curvature of the convex surface 78 of the lip 77 isapproximately 0.188 of an inch.

Therefore, it can be seen that the wall sections 21 and end sections 22,23 and 24 of this invention can be formed with the particularconfigurations thereof illustrated in the drawings by a simple extrudingoperation. However, the wall sections 21 and end sections 22, 23 and 24can be formed by other methods, as desired.

When it is desired to form a hollow wall construction 20 from the wallsections 21 and end sections 22, 23 and 24 of this invention, the samecan be simply and rapidly interconnected together in the mannerillustrated in FIG- URES 6l2 and now to be described.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, a wall section 21a isinterconnected to the arm 28 of the starter end section 22 to begin theassembly of a wall construction 20 by having the lip 47 of the wallsection 21a partially received in the channel 33 of the end section 22.To insert the lip 47 of the wall section 21a into the channel 33 of theend section 22, the outer wall 44 of the wall section 21a is disposedangularly relative to the wall 31 of the end section 22 so that the lip47 can be partially inserted into the channel 33 thereof, with theterminal edge 49 of the end wall 44 of the wall section 21a abutting theterminal edge 35 of the end section 22, as illustrated in FIGURE 6.Thereafter, the wall section 21a and end section 22 are pivoted relativeto each other in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8, whereby the flange32 of the end wall 22 is fully received in the channel 52 of the wallsection 21a, with the outer wall 44 of the wall section 21a beingdisposed in the same plane as the plane of the wall 31 of the endsection 22.

When the wall section 21a and end section 22 are disposed in theposition illustrated in FIGURE 8, axial movement between the end section22 and wall section 21a is prevented by the adjacent interlocking meansof the end section 22 and wall section 21a.

As the wall section 21a is being pivoted relative to the end section 22to align the outer walls thereof in the same plane, the beaded edge 62of the free end 61 of the leg 60 of the wall section 21a cams past thebeaded edge 42 of the projection 41 of the end section 22' in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 7, whereby the beaded edge 62 of the leg 60 snapsinto the channel 43 of the end wall 22, as illustrated in dotted linesat FIGURE 7, to fully interlock the wall section 21a to the end section22. When the leg 68 of the Wall section 21a is interlocked to the flange37 of the end section 22, the concave surface 61 of the free end 61 ofthe leg 60 is disposed in engagement with the convex surface 37' of theflange 37 of the end section 22 whereby the leg 60 holds the outer wall44 of the wall section 21a parallel to the arm 29 of the end section 22.

Thereafter, another wall section 21b is interconnected to the other arm29 of the end section 22 by having the lip 47 thereof partially receivedin the channel 38 of the end section 22 in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 8, with the terminal edge 49 of the wall section 2111 abuttingthe terminal edge 40 of the end section 22.

Pivotal movement of the wall section 2111 from the position illustratedin FIGURE 8 causes the outer Wall 44 of the wall section 211) to bebrought into the same plane as the plane of the arm 29 of the endsection 22 while the free end 61 of the leg 60 thereof cams past theprojection 58 of the flange 53 and snaps into the channel 59 thereof insubstantially the same manner as illustrated in FIGURE 7 to interlockthe wall section 21b to the Wall section 21a.

As the wall section 21b is pivotally moved realtive to the end section22 to align the outer walls thereof in a common plane, the concavesurface 51 of the flange 50 of the wall section 215 slides over theconvex surface 61" of the leg 60 of the wall section 21a whereby thefree end 61 of the leg 60 of the wall section 21a and the flange 37 ofthe end section 22 are snuggly received in the channel 52 of the wallsection 211). Thus, the free end 61 of the leg 60 of the wall section21a is interlocked between the adjacent interlocking means of the endsection 22 and wall section 21b to provide a substantially rigidstructure extending between the opposed surface means 25 of the wallconstruction 20.

Thereafter, additional wall sections 21 are alternately and seriallyinterconnected to the opposed rows 80 and 81 of wall sections 21interconnected to the end section 7 22 in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 9, whereby the hollow wall construction 20 can be made in anydesired length, depending upon the number of wall sections 21 addedthereto in the above manner.

After the hollow wall construction 20 has the required number of wallsections 21 interconnected thereto, and it is desired to form theright-hand end wall 26 thereof by the terminal end sections 23 and 24,the end section 23 is interconnected to one of the rows 80 and 81 ofwall sections 21 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 10.

In particular, while the hollow wall construction 20 is illustrated ashaving one extra wall section 21d in the row 80 thereof over the numberof wall sections 21 in the row 81 thereof, it is to be understood thatthe wall section 21d could be eliminated and that the end section 23could be interconnected to the wall section 21e of the row 80 ratherthan to the wall section 21 of the row 81 thereof in the mannerillustrated in FIGURES 10-12.

In either event, the end section 23 is interconnected to the appropriatewall section 21 by having the lip 69 thereof received in the channel 54of the particular wall section 21.

For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 10, the lip 69 of the end section23 is partially received in the channel 54 of the wall section 21] ofthe row 81 thereof, whereby pivotal movement between the end section 23and the wall section 211 causes the arm 64 of the end section 23 to bebrought into the same plane as the plane of the outer wall 44 of thewall section 21] in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 12. As the end Wall23 is being so pivotally moved, the flange 53 of the wall section 21 andthe free end 61 of the leg 60 of the wall section 21d are received inthe channel 74 of the end section 23 in the manner previously described.

As the arm 64 of the end section 23 is brought into alignment with theouter wall 44 of the wall section 211, the beaded free edge 67 of theend section 23 is cammed past the beaded edge 58 of the wall section2112 whereby the beaded edge 67 of the end section 23 is snap-lockedinto the channel 59 of the wall section 21b in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 11. In this manner, the end section 23 is fully interconnected tothe wall construction 29.

Thereafter, the terminal end section 24 is interconnected to the wallsection 21d by having the lip 77 there of partially receive-d in thechannel 54 of the wall section 21b in the manner illustrated in FIGURE11.

The end section 24 is pivoted from the position illustrated in FIGURE 11to the position illustrated in FIG- URE 12, whereby the lip 77 of theend section 24 is fully received in the channel 54 of the wall section2112 and the arm 75 thereof is drawn into the same plane as the plane ofouter wall 44 of the wall section 21d. When the arm 75 of the endsection 24 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 12, the arm76 of the end section 24 fully overlaps the offset end portion 65 of theend section 23 whereby the outer surface of the arm 76 of the endsection 24 is disposed flush with the outer surface of the non-offsetportion of the arm 63 of the end section 23 to define end wall 26 of thehollow wall construction 20.

The end section 24 is adapted to be secured to the end section 23 afterthe same are disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 12 by anysuitable means.

One such means is illustrated in the drawings and comprises suitablerivets 82 passing respectively through the arm 76 of the end section 24and the offset portion 65 of the end section 23. Such riveting operationcan be formed by suitably drilling the overlapped portions of the endsections 23 and 24 after the same have been assembled together orbefore, as desired.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the hollow wall construction of thisinvention can be formed in a relatively simple and rapid manner bymerely mechanically locking together the various wall sections 21 andend sections 22, 23 and 24 in the above manner. However, it is to beunderstood that suitable adhesive can be applied to the mating surfacesof the wall sections 21 and end sections 22, 23 and 24 to further securethe same together as well as provide moisture-proof joints therebetween.

The legs 60 of the interconnected wall sections 21 are so' disposedrelative to the outer surface means 25 of the hollow wall construction20 that the same define the aforementioned V-shaped trusses 27 to addrigidity to the hollow wall construction 20, the legs 60 of each wallsection 21 being mechanically locked between adjacent interlocking meansof adjacent sections disposed in the row opposite thereto.

Therefore, the various sections of this invention are mechanicallyinterlocked to each other in a relatively simple and effective manner,whereby the resulting wall construction has opposed surface meansinterconnected together by rigidifying means provided by the sectionsthemselves.

Further, when the sections of this invention are formed ofaluminum-containing metallic material or the like, the resulting wallconstruction is not only light in weight but also strong, durable, longlasting, rustproof, and does not require protective coatings. Also, thewall construction is attractive in its natural state, althoughdecorative coatings may be utilized, if desired.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A hollow wall construction having opposed outer surface means andcomprising two opposed rows of interconnected wall sections each havingan outer wall forming part of said outer surface means and provided withopposed ends, said opposed ends of each wall section havingcomplementary interlocking means whereby adjacent wall sections of eachrow thereof are interconnected together by adjacent interlocking means,each wall section having a leg provided with a free end interlockedbetween adjacent interlocking means of a pair of wall sections disposedin the row opposite thereto.

2. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said legsof said wall sections define substantially V-shaped truss means disposedbetween said outer surface means of said wall construction.

3. A hollow Wall construction having opposed outer surface means andcomprising two opposed rows of interconnected wall sections each havingan outer wall forming part of said outer surface means and provided withopposed ends, one of said ends of each wall section having an outwardlydirected lip and a first flange cooperating with said lip to define anoutwardly facing first channel therewith, the other end of each Wallsection having a second flange cooperating therewith to define anoutwardly facing second channel receiving said lip of an adjacent wallsection with said second flange received in said first channel of saidadjacent Wall section to interconnect said adjacent wall sectionstogether, each of said wall sections having a leg provided with a freeend received in said first chanel of a wall section disposed in said rowopposite thereto.

4. A hollow wall construction having opposed outer surface means andcomprising two opposed rows of interconnected wall sections each havingan outer wall forming part of said outer surface means and provided withopposed ends, one of said ends of each wall section having an outwardlydirected lip and a first flange cooperating with said lip to define anoutwardly facing first channel therewith, the other end of each wallsection having a second flange cooperating therewith to define anoutwardly facing second channel receiving said lip of an adjacent wallsection with said second flange received in said first channel of saidadjacent wall section to interconnect said adjacent wall sectionstogether, each of said wall sections having a leg interconnected to saidsecond flange thereof and provided with a free end received in saidfirst channel of a wall section disposed in said row opposite thereto.

5. A hollow wall construction having opposed outer surface means andcomprising two opposed rows of interconnected wall sections each havingan outer wall forming part of said outer surface means and provided withopposed ends, one of said ends of each wall section having an outwardlydirected lip and a first flange cooperating with said lip to define anoutwardly facing first channel therewith, the other end of each wallsection having a second flange cooperating therewith to define anoutwardly facing second channel receiving said lip of an adjacent wallsection with said second flange received in said first channel of saidadjacent wall section to interconnect said adjacent wall sectionstogether, each of said wall sections having a projection on the secondflange thereof and having a leg provided with a free end received insaid first channel of a wall section disposed in said row oppositethereto and abutting said projection of another wall sectioninterconnected to said wall section disposed in said row oppositethereto.

6. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim wherein said leg ofeach wall section is interconnected to said second flange thereof.

7. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein said legof each wall section is disposed angularly relative to said outer wallthereof and said free end of said leg is disposed angularly relative toits respective leg.

8. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidprojections of said second flanges of said Wall sections respectivelyinterlock with said free ends of said legs abutting thereagainst.

9. A hollow wall construction having opposed outer surface means and anend wall interconnecting together said outer surface means, said hollowwall construction comprising a substantially L-shaped end section havingone arm thereof defining said end wall and the other arm thereofdefining part of said outer surface means, said arms of said end sectionhaving interlocking means at the free ends thereof, and a pair of wallsections each having an outer wall defining part of said outer surfacemeans and provided with interlocking means at the ends thereof, saidwall sections respectively having said interlocking means thereofinterlocked with said interlocking means of said end section, one ofsaid wall sections having a leg provided with a free end interlockedbetween said interlocking means of said end section and the outer wallsection.

10. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 9 wherein each ofsaid interlocking means of said end section comprises a flange thatcooperates with the respective end of the arm thereof to define anoutwardly facing channel.

11. A hollow wall construction having opposed outer surface means and anend wall interconnecting together said outer surface means, said hollowwall construction comprising at least one pair of oppositely disposedwall sections each having an outer wall defining part of said outersurface means and provided with interlocking means at opposed endsthereof, a substantially L-shaped first member having one arm thereofdefining part of said outer surface means and provided with interlockingmeans interlocked with said interlocking means of one of said wallsections, the other arm of said first member defining part of said endwall, and a substantially L-shaped second member having one arm definingpart of said outer surface means and provided with interlocking meansinterlocked with said interlocking means of the other wall section, theother arm of said second member defining the remaining portion of saidend wall.

12. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein meansinterconnect said other arms of said members together.

13. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidother arms of said members overlap each other.

14. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidother arm of one of said members has an offset portion and the other armof the other member overlaps said offset portion.

15. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidother arm of said first member is interconnected to said other wallsection.

16. A hollow wall construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidother wall section has a leg provided with a free end interlockedbetween said interlocking means of said one wall section and said firstmember.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,874,572 8/32Montgomery 18934 3,029,052 4/62 Early et a1. 18934 X 3,043,407 7/62Marryatt 189-34 3,062,338 11/62 De Redder et al. 18934 HARRISON R.MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, REINALDO P. MACHADO,

Examiners.

1. A HOLLOW WALL CONSTRUCTION HAVING OPPOSED OUTER SURFACE MEANS ANDCOMPRISING TWO OPPOSED ROWS OF INTERCONNECTED WALL SECTIONS EACH HAVINGAN OUTER WALL FORMING PART OF SAID OUTER SURFACE MEANS AND PROVIDED WITHOPPOSED ENDS, SAID OPPOSED ENDS OF EACH WALL SECTION HAVINGCOMPLEMENTARY INTERLOCKING MEANS WHEREBY ADJACENT WALL SECTIONS OF EACHROW THEREOF ARE INTERCONNECTED TOGETHER BY ADJACENT INTERLOCKING MEANS,EACH WALL SECTION HAVING A LEG PROVIDED WITH A FREE END INTERLOCKEDBETWEEN ADJACENT INTERLOCKING MEANS OF A PAIR OF WALL SECTIONS DISPOSEDIN THE ROW OPPSOTE THERETO.